ACEM – Inclusion of PTWs

31st May 2013

ACEM the “Association des Constructeurs Européens de Motocycles” which represent the Motorcycle Industry in Europe has published an article on the “defeated” vote of the European Parliament (TRAN Committee) on Periodic Technical Inspection – Road Worthiness (RWT) package.

In the article ACEM state that it, “Had been in favour of the inclusion of PTWs in the roadworthiness package, believing that improvements in terms of safety and emissions could be obtained, but at the condition that provisions should not burden the user, with unjustified costs.”

ACEM said that, “Technical defects are the primary cause of a motorcycle accident in 0,3% of all cases, while they have a contributing role in 5% of accidents involving motorcycles.”

In its position on Periodical Technical Inspection ACEM said that, “These technical failures mainly concern defective vehicle lighting, the state of the tyres and of the brakes, due to lack of proper maintenance.” putting perhaps an onus on motorcycle users that do not maintain their motorcycles to a high standard.

However the the EU Commission had claimed that 8% of motorcycle accidents are the result of mechanical failures on a motorcycle, however this claim has been challenged by various organisations.

Lets hope for a better presentation of facts and figures in the planned three year review which aims to present the outcome of further research by the Commission to the European Parliament. The purpose is to decide whether member states should have RWT for two or three wheeled vehicles.

This is of course dependent on whether the rejection of RWT for motorcycles goes through the rest of the Parliamentary procedures intact.

Just to make it clear we (UK) will retain our RWT (MoT) for motorcycles!

MEPs vote against inclusion of PTWs in scope of new Periodic Technical Inspection

The Commission had proposed to extend EU rules on mandatory vehicle-testing to include motorcycles and scooters.

A proposal to introduce minimum European Union standards for roadworthiness tests on motorcycles was rejected by members of the European Parliament’s transport committee on 30 May. The European Council had already rejected the idea in December.

The Commission had proposed to extend EU rules on mandatory vehicle-testing to include L-category vehicles. The current rules date from 1977 and do not cover two- and three-wheeled vehicles. Eleven member states do not conduct safety tests on these vehicles, and these mostly Southern member states have strongly resisted the move to require them to conduct safety tests.

MEPs voted to keep PTW out of the scope of the European Commission’s proposed ‘roadworthiness package’, opting instead for a minimal update to existing rules without an expansion of scope or thoroughness. This is the approach preferred by member states, which voted in December to reject the extension of the EU standards to motorbikes.

Technical defects are the primary cause of a motorcycle accident in 0,3% of all cases, while they have a contributing role in 5% of accidents involving motorcycles.

ACEM had been in favour of the inclusion of PTWs in the roadworthiness package, believing that improvements in terms of safety and emissions could be obtained, but at the condition that provisions should not burden the user, with unjustified costs.

The transport committee also agreed with the member state position that the frequency of testing for cars should not be increased. The Commission had proposed that cars over six years old should be tested every year. Instead the current system of testing every two years should be maintained.

The transport committee’s position will be put to a full plenary vote in July.

For ACEM’s position on Periodic tecnhical inspection read the full article Click Here

NMCU the Norwegian riders organisation have stated that they will be in Strasbourg for the plenary vote on RWT – A delegation of representatives from all member organizations in FEMA will make a distinct mark outside the parliament building in Strasbourg in the morning before the vote. NMCU will of course be present and display the Norwegian flag.

Statistics Rule – well they can with a bit of manipulation – the most interesting part of this article is the obvious discrepancy between ACEM and the EU Commission on what percentage of accidents are attributable to lack of road worthiness – isn’t it about time that an independent organisation is set up to record the cause of accidents to PTWs that is not affiliated to any political organisation so we can get a true picture of what is happening – or is that just pie in the sky?

Investigative Research NI

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